Interesting facts about Niagara Falls

August 19, 2009 | In: Geography Facts

Niagara Falls is the second largest waterfall on Earth, the first being Victoria Falls in South Africa.

Over 5,000,000,000 gallons (about 2 trillion liters) of water per hour flowed over the edge of Niagara Falls.

The number of tourists visiting the Niagara Falls in 2009 is expected to total 20 million. In addition to this, the annual rate is expected to top 28 million tourists per year by the year 2010.

Niagara Falls has moved back 7 miles in 12,500 years and may be the fastest moving waterfalls in the world.

Niagara Falls supplies 10% of all the electric power for New York State.

A 63 year old female schoolteacher was the first person to go over the Falls in a barrel and survive.

Age of Niagara Falls: 12,000 years.

Niagara Falls is famous as the honeymoon capital of North America. Or it used to be until airfare to Hawaii fell within reach of nearly any newlyweds, whether on the east coast or the west.

The water surface here drops 15m and the rushing waters can reach speeds as high as 9mps.